The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-16


latter Of whom was associate editor on the
Arbeiter Zatung, Spies paper, were ar
rested at $3.50, at the corner of Clark and
illinois streets. They were charged with
obstructing the sidewalk. The greatest ex-
citement prevailed, the streets in front OF
the newspaper offices being crowded with
people anxious to learn the latest particu-
lars from the jail The detail Of deputies
to take part in the execution were called
into the corridor in the vicinity OF the
scaffold and received Instructions.
Just then word came over the telephone
that the friends of Louis Lingg had made
application at the coroner's Office for the
custody Of Lingg's body. The body was
still at the Jail.
The Mail published sensational report in
an extra to the effect that the authorities
suspected that the Jail was undermined and
were fearful Of an explosion at any mo-
ment.
It is needless to say the authorities denied
having any such fears, although it is true
civil engineer, by order Of Chief of Police
Ebersold, made sounding of the streets
surrounding the block on which the jail is
located. But this was mere precautionary
measure.
The death warrant from the governor ar
rived shortly after Z o'clock. 1t was brought
by the governors son, Robert, who is also
his private secretary.
The neighborhood of Fullerton and Lin
coin avenues were closely watched by the
authorities That is an Anarchist strong
hold.
Mrs. Van Zandt, mother of Nina, sent the
following dispatch to Governor Oglesby
early in the morning:
CHICAGO, November II.
sHis Excellency, Governor Oslesby, Spring
field, H.;
"For Gods sake stay the execution of Au-
gust Spies. We have evidence of his inno-
cence."
Mrs. Van Zandt was almost wild with ex-
citement, and seemed to take Spies coming
execution to heart almost as much as hsr
daughter Nina.
rs ..oon as Spies had finished his break
fast, at asking that some fried oysters oe
brought him, he asked for, and obtained
his writing material, and went to work.
He was perfectly cool and collected, end
remarked that he would be just as self
possessed ut the last minute of life as he was
then
The roofs of the criminal court and Jail
were covered with policemen armed with
breecn-loaders. Anarchists might have
thrown a bomb into the police, but could not
possibly reach the Jail or the criminal court
buildings
At $40 a. m, the friends and relatives of
the condemned were turned away from the
JAIL DR.. Gray then entered the cells Of the
condemned men and administered stimu-
lants. Mrs. Parsons and Engel's children
persisted in gaining admission, and were re-
moved in a patrol wagon.
Clark street and Dearborn avenue, run
Jail. and Michigan aud Illinois streets, rum
ming east and west for blocks in each direc-
ton, we're simply packed with people.
Fischer manifested a spirit of bravado.
He sung the Marsellaise, and then in a
laughing way said to Turnkey Stubbs:
"When l get to heaven I will speak
good word for you"
Following close on the telegraph report
from Springfield that Governor Oglesby had
decided once for all not to interfere, the
deputies at 1927 began distributing tickets
of admission to the hanging to the reporters,
and the excitement in the Jail office became
simply intense. The hour for the dread
work had arrived, and everybody seemed to
be possessed Of feeling Of awe.
At precisely 10:45 the doomed men we're
brought out of their cells and the sheriff
proceeded to read the death warrants to
them. At 1855 the four culprits were ar
ragned in order for the death march to the
scaffold, and at 1857 the reporters vera
admitted into the Jail corridor to accompany
the solemn procession to the scaifold in the
e,Ist corridor
At ll:2S the sheriff began reading the
death warrant,
The warrant was read to Spies first. He
listened to the reading with dignifed
silence. Then Fischer's was read to him.
A. II 40 the sheriff began reading the death
H2TTallt W IleduIlllo uopuUleo
proceeded to put tie shroud on Engel.
At 1l:49 the sheriff flashed rsad.uy the
death warrant, and folding tine messages
held them in his hand, looked anxiously
about him, as if half hesitatingly, half
regretting to proceed
Just before tho march to the gallows,
Fischer lifted his face to the cells Of Fielden
and Schwab in tho gallery above, and
shouted in German: Brother Schwab, we
wish you happy life and that you may
soon bo free" Then he added: Good.
bye, Samp "GooG-bye, SAM" echoed Spies
and Ensel Parsons said nothing.
Sch wah stood at the door of his cell, his
hands folded behind, his brow overhung by
matted hair pressed against the iron bars.
Tears streamed down his cheeks and ran
into his black and unkemp5 beard. He was
60 overcome by emotion that he coull not
speak. Not one Of tina spectators was un-
moved
"Don't put the braces on too tight; you
hurt me-" The words came in sharp, queru.
lous tones from Parsons, VINO was the last
to be pinioned.
He shook all over. Whether it was rage
or fear moved him, who kuowsi The spell OF
the moment was broken. Now the iron
door between life aud death opened aud tht